Adice needed please! Viewing a convertible 348 tomorrow

justynb · 05-09-2003, 05:44 AM

I'm viewing 2 cars this weekend. The first is a yellow convertible (Picture attached):

>>>Ferrari 348 3.4 SP , Petrol, 1994 L Reg , nero black, Cabriolet, 33,000 miles , 2 Doors. ABS, Adjustable Steering Column, Alloy Wheels, Central Door Locking, Climate Control, Electric Windows, Immobilizer, In Car Entertainment, Leather Upholstery, Tool Kit.this is very low mileage example with comprehensive history £34,995 (UK Sterling)<<<

The dealer selling it told me that it is a German supplied car which was imported at some point and professionally converted to Right Hand Drive. This would explain why it appears a little cheap for a convertible (unless its also in poor condition and he has been fibbing to me on the phone).

Would I be advised to stay away from a converted car or should it be ok? Would there be anything different about a German car such as the speedo being designed for kmph instead of mph?

The second car I am seeing is a blue 348 TS which sounds like it is immaculate so I may have to make a difficult decision!

Regards,

Justyn.

Dj Dirk · 05-09-2003, 06:33 AM

Justyn

if that yellow one has been profesionally been converted to RHD then i would assume that they putted a new speedo in it with mph

modificata · 05-09-2003, 09:39 AM

Justyn

Sounds good but i will say one thing. Whenever ive spoken to someone about converting cars to RHD, everyone says they just drive the same. Factory original for some reason gives different handling characteristics. Ive got no experience to back this up with, but thats what ive been told.

Best thing is take it for a drive and see for yourself. Maybe get it checked when you get the PPI done.

Andrew · 05-09-2003, 06:44 PM

I think it is just a matter of preference really. I personally would stay away from a RHD converted car and go with a factory original.

simonc · 05-10-2003, 10:07 AM

Stay away from the conversion. One day you will need to sell it.

Red348 · 05-10-2003, 09:21 PM

Having bought a 348 TS the only thing I would do differently perhaps is opt for a convertible instead. Storing the roof behind the seats is not an ideal alternative to a proper soft top.

Although the weather here is much more reliable than the UK, I find I seldom take the top off for fear of damaging it (body coloured fibreglass top).

Since the price difference between a TS and Spider of the similar age and specs is only 2,000 GBP max in the UK, I would wait for a good Spider but not a lhd/rhd conversion.

05-09-2003, 05:44 AM	#1
justynb Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Derby, UK Ferrari Life Posts: 167	Adice needed please! Viewing a convertible 348 tomorrow I'm viewing 2 cars this weekend. The first is a yellow convertible (Picture attached): >>>Ferrari 348 3.4 SP , Petrol, 1994 L Reg , nero black, Cabriolet, 33,000 miles , 2 Doors. ABS, Adjustable Steering Column, Alloy Wheels, Central Door Locking, Climate Control, Electric Windows, Immobilizer, In Car Entertainment, Leather Upholstery, Tool Kit.this is very low mileage example with comprehensive history £34,995 (UK Sterling)<<< The dealer selling it told me that it is a German supplied car which was imported at some point and professionally converted to Right Hand Drive. This would explain why it appears a little cheap for a convertible (unless its also in poor condition and he has been fibbing to me on the phone). Would I be advised to stay away from a converted car or should it be ok? Would there be anything different about a German car such as the speedo being designed for kmph instead of mph? The second car I am seeing is a blue 348 TS which sounds like it is immaculate so I may have to make a difficult decision! Regards, Justyn. Attached Images Boys don\'t grow up ... their toys just get more expensive.

05-09-2003, 06:44 PM	#4
Andrew Administrator Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Francisco Ferrari Life Posts: 6,311 Name: Andrew	I think it is just a matter of preference really. I personally would stay away from a RHD converted car and go with a factory original. AvidSquare

05-10-2003, 10:07 AM	#5
simonc Owner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London, UK Ferrari Life Posts: 52	Stay away from the conversion. One day you will need to sell it. Simon 1977 400 Auto 1976 365 Boxer London

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05-09-2003, 06:33 AM	#2
Dj Dirk Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Belgium Ferrari Life Posts: 5,082	Justyn if that yellow one has been profesionally been converted to RHD then i would assume that they putted a new speedo in it with mph

05-09-2003, 09:39 AM	#3
modificata Owner Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: London Ferrari Life Posts: 94	Justyn Sounds good but i will say one thing. Whenever ive spoken to someone about converting cars to RHD, everyone says they just drive the same. Factory original for some reason gives different handling characteristics. Ive got no experience to back this up with, but thats what ive been told. Best thing is take it for a drive and see for yourself. Maybe get it checked when you get the PPI done.

05-10-2003, 09:21 PM	#6
Red348 Join Date: May 2003 Ferrari Life Posts: 1	Having bought a 348 TS the only thing I would do differently perhaps is opt for a convertible instead. Storing the roof behind the seats is not an ideal alternative to a proper soft top. Although the weather here is much more reliable than the UK, I find I seldom take the top off for fear of damaging it (body coloured fibreglass top). Since the price difference between a TS and Spider of the similar age and specs is only 2,000 GBP max in the UK, I would wait for a good Spider but not a lhd/rhd conversion.